Looking ahead to the 2025 Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival
The SCJFF film selection committee is busy reviewing over 100 films submitted thus far in consideration for our next festival, scheduled for May 3 through 25, 2025.
Come back to this space to view trailers for films under consideration.
If you'd like to have a more active role in the Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival, please email SCJFF Director Paul Drescher at SCJFFinfo@gmail.com.
Please let us now if you come across a film that you think would be a good fit for the 2025 SCJFF.
Topics we hope to address in the 2025 festival:
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The rise of anti-Semitism in the wake of October 7. -
A vision for the future of peaceful co-existence in the Middle East. -
The resilience of the Jewish people throughout history; stories of survival and prospering. - Stories profiling distinguished Jews who have made a difference in the world.
- Comic tales from the Jewish experience.
Films under consideration for the 2025 SCJFF
THE CATSKILLS is a feature-length documentary on the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt. Resorts in the Catskills of New York provided a vacation refuge for middle income and affluent Jewish families, including many who survived the devastation in Europe just a few years earlier.
Stand-up comedians and former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors recount tales of the family-run resorts and bungalows that inspired films like DIRTY DANCING.
This is a delightful documentary with appearances by Jerry Lewis, Shecky Green, Joey Bishop, Jackie Mason and others who honed their craft in Catskills resorts.
To learn more visit https://www.thecatskillsfilm.com/ To view the trailer, click here or on the poster to the right.
If you'd like to sponsor or c0-sponsor the film please contact SCJFF Director Paul Drescher at SCJFFinfo@gmail.com
Stay tuned for more films and trailers to be posted here soon!
2024 Festival Previous Films & Events
Opening Night - Tuesday, March 19
Temple Beth El Social Hall
7:00 pm - THE CITY WITHOUT JEWS, with an original musical score played LIVE by Klezmatics co-founder Alicia Svigals on violin and renowned pianist Donald Sosin. THE CITY WITHOUT JEWS satirized the gathering wave of antisemitism and tragically predicted the mass deportations to come 15 years later.
Austria, 1924 – 80 min.
Sponsored by the Sunrise Foundation for Education and the Arts and Rbbi Paula Marcus
Monday, March 25 – Temple Beth El Library
7:00 pm - PERSIAN LESSONS, from director Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog), delivers a unique Holocaust story of survival by wit. With masterful directing, acting and production, PERSIAN LESSONS was named Best Russian Jewish Film at the 2021 Moscow Jewish Film Festival.
Russia/Germany/Belarus, 2020 - 2 hours 7 minutes.
Saturday, March 30 - 7:00 - 9:30 pm Temple Beth El Social Hall
7:00 pm - BIRTH OF A CONFLICT, Episode 1
This 3-part series explores the complex history of the Middle East from the Ottoman Empire to the present day and reveals newly declassified documents from British diplomatic files. A must-see for anyone wishing to understand the origins of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Documentary Series - Israel, 2022 - 56 minutes.
followed at 8:10 by SAVOY
SAVOY
This thrilling film tells the story of Kochava Levy, the forgotten heroine of the 1975 Savoy Hotel terror attack in Tel Aviv. On one March night, PLO gunmen entered the hotel, seized hostages and demanded release of Palestinian prisoners. Kochava, a Yemenite Jew, acted as translator and mediator.
Docudrama – Israel, 2022 – 78 min.
Read the Jerusalem Post's review of SAVOY here.
View Paul's interview with SAVOY writer/director/producer Zohar Wagner here.
Thursday, April 4 - 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm - Temple Beth El Social Hall
SEVAP/MITZVAH
A poetic and moving dramatization of a true story from 80 years ago. In Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friend. Fifty years later Bosnia is at war and the tables are turned.
2023 Winner of the Humanitas Prize.
Narrative USA/Bosnia, 2023 - 20 min.
followed at 7:25 pm by
BIRTH OF A CONFLICT, Episode 2
The second episode of the series tells the story of how the Jewish-Arab conflict turned from a territorial quarrel between two national movements into a religious conflict. This chapter sheds new light on one of the most important, yet unknown events in the history of Palestine – The Great Arab Revolt.
Documentary series - Israel, 2022 - 56 min
followed at 8:25 pm by CHILDREN OF PEACE
CHILDREN OF PEACE
A group of dreamers founded an intentional community of Arabs and Jews, Neve Shalom, in 1970’s Israel. It was a rebellious and utopian idea: Jews and Arabs living and going to school together as friends and neighbors, learning each others' language and culture. Children who were brought up in this unique environment, now grown men and women, deal with the harsh realities of political turmoil and war.
A Zoom Q & A with the filmmaker may follow the movie.
Documentary Israel, 2022 - 60 min
Thursday, April 11 - 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Aegis Community Room, 125 Heather Terrace, Aptos
SEVAP/MITZVAH
A poetic and moving dramatization of a true story from 80 years ago. In Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friend. Fifty years later Bosnia is at war and the tables are turned. 2023 Winner of the Humanitas Prize.
Narrative USA/Bosnia, 2023 - 20 min.
followed at 2:25 pm by
SPACE TORAH
Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman realized a childhood dream and became an astronaut. He was a key member of the spacewalking team and had five missions on the Space Shuttle. On his final flight he brought a small Torah with him and read from the book of Genesis while soaring through space.
This inspiring story shows how one can achieve great things and bring the Jewish identity to new realms.
A brief Q & A with filmmaker Rachel Raz will follow the screening.
USA - Documentary - 2023 - 25 min.
followed at 3:00 pm by SAVOY
This thrilling film tells the story of Kochava Levy, the forgotten heroine of the 1975 Savoy Hotel terror attack in Tel Aviv. On one March night, PLO gunmen entered the hotel, seized hostages and demanded release of Palestinian prisoners. Kochava, a Yemenite Jew, acted as translator and mediator.
Docudrama – Israel, 2022 – 78 min.
Read the Jerusalem Post's review of SAVOY here.
Click here to view the teaser https://vimeo.com/790876817?fbclid=IwAR1nZH2LUJ95P7b0yILOO9AqWDik9uPq8D8w49caLL62A9WkWWpVyUD6UUY
Sunday, April 14 - 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - the 418 Project (formerly the Riverfront Theater), 155 So. River St., Santa Cruz
BIRTH OF A CONFLICT, Episode 1
From Israeli public television this 3-part series explores the complex history of the Middle East from the Ottoman Empire to the present day and reveals newly declassified documents from British diplomatic files. A must-see for anyone wishing to understand the origins of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Documentary series - Israel, 2022 - 56 min.
followed at 7:15 pm by:
SHOSHANA
Based on real people and events, SHOSHANA tells the story of the cross-cultural love affair between a ranking officer of the British Palestine Police Force and a young Jewish woman in the Haganah, one of the armed groups fighting for an independent Jewish State of Israel. The film gives a glimpse into the many conflicts in pre-state Israel when the Haganah, the Urgun, and the Stern Gang competed with each other while fighting both Arabs and the British for a Jewish state. The film explores the way extremism and violence push people apart, forcing them to choose sides.
Historical drama - Israel, 2023 - 129 min
Monday, April 15 - 7:00 - 9:30 pm - Chadeish Yameina / Center for Spiritual Living, 1818 Felt St., Santa Cruz
SPACE TORAH
Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman realized a childhood dream and became an astronaut. He was a key member of the spacewalking team and had five missions on the Space Shuttle. On his final flight he brought a small Torah with him and read from the book of Genesis while soaring through space.
This inspiring story shows how one can achieve great things and bring the Jewish identity to new realms.
USA - Documentary - 2023 - 25 min.
followed at 7:30 pm by BETWEEN THE STONE & THE FLOWER
BETWEEN THE STONE AND THE FLOWER
Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, Genie Milgram was steeped in Roman Catholicism from childhood but felt disconnected with her Catholic upbringing. Tracing her genealogy all the way back to the Great Inquisition she discovers her family's Jewish roots in the Iberian Peninsula. This is the untold story of the crypto-Jews who converted to Catholicism but continued to practice Judaism in secret.
Documentary – Spain / Cuba / USA, 2023 – 68 min.
A live Q & A on Zoom with Genie Milgram will follow the screening.
Sunday, April 21 - 7:00 - 9:30 pm Temple Beth El Library
BIRTH OF A CONFLICT, Episode 3
The final installment examines events preceding and following WWII: the failure of the Arab national movement, the success of the Zionist movement in creating a Jewish state, and the crumbling of the mighty British Empire.
Documentary Series - Israel, 2022 - 56 min.
followed at 8:00 pm by
THE CHECKPOINT WOMEN: Memories
A group of courageous Israeli women established Checkpoint Watch to guard the human rights of those passing through the checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank.
Q & A on Zoom with filmmaker Eliezer Yaari, retired IDF pilot, native of Jerusalem, and former classmate of Bibi Netanyahu, will follow the movie.
Documentary – Israel, 2023 - 60 min.
Saturday, April 27 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Temple Beth El Library
SEVAP/MITZVAH
A poetic and moving dramatization of a true story from 80 years ago. In Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friend. Fifty years later Bosnia is at war and the tables are turned.
2023 Winner of the Humanitas Prize.
Narrative USA/Bosnia, 2023 - 20 min.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2dXEiyOuh4
followed at 7:25 by
KILLING AMERICA
A conflict is raging in Bay area school districts over merit-based programs, with the effect of dumbing down school curriculums in the name of social equity. Ethnic studies, required high school curriculum, often offers a narrative of “settler colonialism” and oppressor vs. oppressed. Is this the version of American idealism that we want to teach our kids?
Documentary, USA, 2024 - 38 min.
Dr. Diana Blum and Christine Linnenbach, subjects of the film, will be in attendance for discussion of this important issue. Read a review of the movie here.
The 2024 Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival continues through May 23! Admission is free and open to the public for all events of the 2024 Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival but seating is limited at most venues. Plan to arrive early for best seating.
Peruse the schedule below and mark your calendar! You won't want to miss this exciting selection of films and events.
The 2024 SCJFF presents films that shed light on the roots of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, along with films of general interest. Click on any photo to view the trailer.
Just added by popular demand! SAVOY replays at Temple Beth El at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 15!
SAVOY tells the thrilling story of Kochava Levy, the forgotten heroine of the 1975 Savoy Hotel terror attack in Tel Aviv. One March night, PLO gunmen entered the hotel, seized hostages and demanded release of Palestinian prisoners. Kochava,a Yemenite Jew, acted as translator and mediator.
Docudrama – Israel, 2022 – 78 min.
Read the Jerusalem Post's review of SAVOY here.
The film switches seamlessly between archival footage and reenactment, putting the viewer in Kochava's shoes as the horrific situation unfolds. A modest housewife, disillusioned in her marriage and meeting her lover at the hotel, Kochava kept a contemporaneous diary which contributes to the narration of the film, along with sound recorded during the terror attack.
"I'll never forget this film," said one viewer after the screening on April 11.
Winner, Best Directing and Best Editing, at the 2022 Jerusalem Film Festival.
Co-sponsored by Rabbi Eli Cohen and Chadeish Yameinu. Admission is free and open to the public.
The 2024 SCJFF ends this Thursday at the Capitola Public Library
Thursday, May 23 - 7:00 pm - CHILDREN OF PEACE
A group of dreamers and idealists founded an intentional community of Arabs and Jews-- Nevew Shalom-- in 1970s Israel. It was a rebellious and Utopian idea: Jews and Arabs living and going to school together as friends and neighbors, learning each others' language and culture. Children who were raised in this unique environment, now adults, deal with the harsh realities of political turmoil and war.
The SCJFF thanks the Santa Cruz Public Libraries for sponsoring and hosting this screening at the Capitola Public Library, 2005 Wharf Rd., Capitola.
Click on any photo below to view the movie trailer.
The Checkpoint Women: Memories
Israel | Documentary | 2023 | 60 min.
A group of Israeli women established Checkpoint Watch to guard the human rights of those passing through the checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank.
Over the years these women have documented the checkpoints on film, providing viewers with a never-before-seen angle on their interactions with the soldiers and their advocacy for the population's needs.
This documentary showcases Israeli women with extraordinary courage, humanity and dedication.
Between the Stone and the Flower
Spain-Cuba-USA| Documentary |2023 | 68 min.
A Cuban-American woman embarks on a decades-long quest to uncover her Jewish lineage. Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, Genie Milgram was steeped in Roman Catholicism from childhood, but carried a persistent sense of disconnection with her Spanish Catholic upbringing. She goes on a geneological quest all the way back to the Great Inquisition and discovers her family's Jewish roots in the Iberian Peninsula.
This fascinating tale explores the story of the crypto-Jews who converted to Catholicism but continued to practice Judaism in secret during the dark periods of European history.
Sevap/Mitzvah
USA - Bosnia| Narrative | 2023 | 20 min.
A poetic and moving dramatization of a true story.
2023 Winner of the Humanitas Prize.
In Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friend. Fifty years later Bosnia is at war and the tables are turned.
Israel | Documentary| 2023 | 59 min.
A group of dreamers founded an intentional community of Arabs and Jews, Neve Shalom, in 1970’s Israel. It was a rebellious and utopian idea: Jews and Arabs living and going to school together as friends and neighbors, learning each others' language and culture. The film follows up on children who were brought up in this unique environment, now grown men and women, dealing with the harsh realities of political turmoil and war.
Russia/Germany/Belarus | 2020 | 127 min.
Gilles, a young Belgian man, is arrested by the SS and sent to a concentration camp but avoids execution by swearing to the guards that he is Persian, not Jewish. This lie temporarily saves him, but then Gilles is given the seemingly impossible task of teaching Persian to Captain Koch, the officer in charge of the camp's kitchen, who dreams of opening a restaurant in Tehran once the war is over. Serious in tone yet comic at times, the film maintains dramatic tension from start to finish without excessive use of graphic images. Director Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) delivers a unique Holocaust story of survival by wit, with masterful directing, acting and production values.
Sponsorships and donations make the film festival possible, so please consider a donation. Just click here to make a donation to the SCJFF. Donations of every size are important. And if you can afford it, SPONSORSHIPS start at just $250 and are the foundation of the film festival, and come with two festival passes with preferred seating.
The following excellent films were not scheduled in the 2024 SCJFF but we wish we could include them!
Israel | Documentary | 2023 | 74 min.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Israel’s National Archive released the official protocols of Prime Minister Golda Meir’s office from the time of the Yom Kippur War, documents unknown to the public until now. These documents leave no room for doubt. Despite the war’s steep cost, the facts show that Golda did not fail. In fact, Israel’s achievements resulting from the war made it possible, five years later, to reach a peace agreement with Egypt.
Israel | Narrative | 2022 | 82 min.
Newly arrived in Israel from Ukraine, a single mother and her son engage with a religious neighbor in this finely textured coming-of-age drama. Twelve-year-old Pinhas, seeking to fit in, asks permission to join classmates in bar mitzvah studies, but his atheist mother refuses. Pinhas turns to a recent Chabad recruit for help and all three lives are changed in unforeseen ways.
Nominated for seven Israeli Academy Awards.
Israel | Narrative | 2022 | 99 min.
A group of young Israelis land in Warsaw with a few nervous adults on a school trip to concentration camps around Poland, where the incomprehensible past of WW2 meets the complex reality of being an Israeli teenager today. The clash between the worlds of the past and the present forms the base of this perceptive coming-of-age story. WINNER, Best Screenplay and Best Ensemble cast. the 2023 Jerusalem International Film Festival.
Four Winters: A Story of Jewish Partisan Resistance and Heroism in WWII
USA | Documenary | 2022 | 99 min.
Over 25,000 Jewish partisans fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep within the forests of WWII’s Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Belarus. Against extraordinary odds, they escaped Nazi slaughter, and evolved from young innocents to courageous resistance fighters, shattering the myth of Jewish passivity. The last surviving partisans tell their stories of resistance in FOUR WINTERS, revealing a stunning narrative of heroism and resilience. 
Switzerland - France | Drama | 2021 | 124 min.
In a Syrian border village in the early 1980’s, little Sero attends school for the first time. But a new teacher loyal to President Hafez al-Assad is determined to make proud Jew-hating Syrians out of the Kurdish children. The lessons upset and confuse Sero because his long-time neighbors are a lovable Jewish family. With delicate humor and satire, the film finds light moments amidst dictatorship and dark drama. The film was inspired by the director’s personal experiences, and his bitter-sweet memories connect the Syrian tragedy to the present. 
USA - Israel | Documentary | 2020 | 57 min.
Nancy Zeitlin was a a promising young rider from San Diego who moved to Israel as a child and became a champion equestrian. Fearless, she faced societal restrictions head-on, broke stereotypes, and explored restricted territory in pursuit of her dream. Then, amidst upheaval in both her family and in her adopted country, she did the unthinkable: she became a trainer to Palestinians in the West Bank. As Israel is rocked by the Second Intifada, Nancy puts her life at risk to keep hope alive for her Palestinian team of riding students. Her many-layered story parallels the growth of the State of Israel, its wars, its changing borders, and its internal conflicts. UNREINED is a moving tale of embracing "the Other", made possible through a shared affection for horses.
Israel - Germany | 2021 | 105 min. | Comedy
A subversive love story between clashing cultures and families, Kiss Me Kosher is a romantic misadventure crossing all borders. When two generations of Israeli women fall for a German woman and a Palestinian man, chaos follows. What happens with lovers who don't fit but do belong together ?
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGGjxGYAWo8&t=117s
Germany | 2022 | 120 min. | Comedy
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT. To save the synagogue of the once largest Jewish community in the world from being shut down, Ben, an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn Jew visiting Jerusalem, is sent out to be the desperately needed tenth man for the ceremonies. Having missed his plane and been kicked off the bus in the Sinai Desert, his last hope is Adel, a grumpy Bedouin looking for his camel. When their car breaks down, it becomes a matter of their very survival.
Israel | 2017 | 85 min. | Comedy
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on for decades, with no end in sight. Fed up with one failed deal after another, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders agree to settle things once and for all … with a soccer match. One game. One winner. Losing side has to pick up and find a new homeland. This politically-incorrect, satirical mockumentary takes a fresh and hilarious lens to the conflict.
